Firewalls work with wireless connection?

me ^ | 10-26-06

[LouAvul]

My niece has a laptop with a wireless modem (or something like that). She does not have the internet.

So she rides around in her car until she finds a house with a wireless modem/internet connection. Then she logs on through their connection.

I have a wireless network. I also have firewalls. Can people hack into my system through my wireless connection?

[steve-b]

My niece has a laptop with a wireless modem (or something like that). She does not have the internet.
So she rides around in her car until she finds a house with a wireless modem/internet connection. Then she logs on through their connection.

What's her DU handle?

[nascarnation]

My college daughter moved into an off-campus apartment complex and we fired up her computer. There were 7 available wireless networks available and 5 were totally open.

[kcbc2001]

We have wireless and firewalls. He's a network administrator, and he'd tell you straight out that no system is 100% safe, but if you do all that you can to secure your data then you should be fine. (Firewalls, change your passwords frequently, etc)

I don't see why your niece doesn't go to Panera's or some other place that has wireless access. I'd really panic if she's doing shopping or paying bills over someone else's connection. You just don't know who's on the other end. Sure your neighbor might be great to talk to, but if you don't know anything else about them....why take the chance?
JMHO.

[MarineBrat]

My college daughter moved into an off-campus apartment complex and we fired up her computer. There were 7 available wireless networks available and 5 were totally open.

It's amazing how many access points you can find if you try. Coffe shops, malls, etc... even entire cities. Manhattan Beach, California has free wireless internet access for the entire city.

If anyone here needs it I can write up a quick synopsis if what you'd want to do to easily lock up your network. A method that also makes it simple to allow a new computer (such as a visiting friend's laptop) onto your network without password hassles.

[LouAvul]

I just called linksys and got sheila in the Philippines. After I got used to her accent, I reset my security settings to WEP which is ten digit encryption. Thanks for the advice.

[Starboard]

Just checked out the site. Great stuff.

THANKS!!!!!!

[SoothingDave]

Why don't you have your neice come over and see if she can get in?

SD

[steve-b]

Why don't you have your neice come over and see if she can get in?

I suppose that's better than inviting you over to her place to see if you can get in.

[mom4kittys]

Let your niece know there are lots of places to get free wifi. There are websites that show them in each city and state. Here is one, but there are others:
http://www.wififreespot.com/

Also, believe it or not, Sonic Drive Ins and McDonalds have free wifi available.